Two wrongful death lawsuits have been filed in connection with the December plane crash that killed former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife Cristina, their two children, and pilots Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, according to ESPN.
The legal actions target the aircraft's owners and operators, seeking accountability for the crash that claimed six lives. The lawsuits were filed recently, though specific details about the defendants and allegations have not been fully disclosed in available reporting.
The December Crash
The fatal accident occurred in December, taking the lives of Biffle, 54, a veteran NASCAR driver with 19 Cup Series wins, along with his wife and their two children. The plane was piloted by Dennis Dutton and his son Jack, both of whom also perished in the crash.
Biffle competed in NASCAR from 1998 through 2016, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the Cup Series in 2003. He remained a recognized figure in motorsports after his retirement from full-time racing.
Legal Action
The two wrongful death suits represent separate legal claims, likely filed by different families affected by the tragedy. Wrongful death litigation typically seeks damages for loss of life, emotional suffering, and financial support, and may allege negligence or mechanical failure.
At this stage, the specific grounds for the lawsuits—whether they cite pilot error, aircraft maintenance issues, or other factors—remain unclear from public reporting. Federal aviation accident investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board can take months or years to conclude, and findings often inform civil litigation.
What Comes Next
The lawsuits will proceed through the civil court system, where discovery will likely examine flight records, maintenance logs, pilot qualifications, and the aircraft's condition. Families of crash victims frequently file such suits to establish accountability and secure compensation, even as federal investigators work independently to determine the crash's cause.
The NTSB has not yet released a final report on the December crash. Preliminary findings, if issued, typically appear within weeks of an accident, but comprehensive analyses—including probable cause determinations—can take a year or more.
What we know: Two wrongful death lawsuits have been filed against aircraft owners and operators following the December crash that killed Greg Biffle, his family, and two pilots. What's unclear: The specific allegations in the suits, the defendants' identities, and the NTSB's findings on the crash cause have not been detailed in available reporting.